Getting a pelvic exam can be nerve-wracking, especially if this is your first visit, but knowing what to expect when you step foot in our office can help take away some of the anxiety. If you are feeling a bit nervous, don’t worry. We are here to provide you with all the information you could ever need regarding your next pelvic exam.

What is a Pelvic Exam?

A pelvic exam is a normal part of a woman’s routine gynecological exam. During the pelvic exam, a gynecologist will examine the reproductive organs to check for any potential signs of infection or other potential issues. Sometimes a Pap smear is also performed during your visit. During a Pap smear, we will remove some cells from the cervix to check for any cancerous or precancerous cells. Early detection is important, as it often makes treating health conditions much easier.

Besides a pelvic exam sometimes your gynecological visit may include:

A discussion about your medical history

A breast exam

STD testing

Who Should Get a Pelvic Exam?

Unless you are facing a health issue, most women can start getting a pelvic and breast exam by the age of 21. Even before a pelvic exam, it’s recommended that women get annual gynecological visits. Especially during a time where a young woman’s body is changing so drastically it’s sometimes helpful to have a doctor to turn to for questions about birth control, bodily changes, sexual health, etc.

When you come in for your first exam we will also tell you how often you should come in for care. A lot will depend on your medical history. If you’ve had abnormal Pap smear results, past sexual health problems, a family history of gynecological cancers or a sexually transmitted disease then you may need to come in more regularly.

For the sake of your health, getting a pelvic and breast exam should at least be an annual visit that you don’t miss. These visits are vitally important for your health and it's truly the best way to detect any health issues as early as possible.